Jon Mildenhall
Born 1967 · Age 59
British marketer and brand-builder; former CMO of Airbnb and Coca‑Cola, co‑founder & chair of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, and (from 2024) Chief Marketing Officer of Rocket Companies.
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Life & Career Timeline
Graduated John Smeaton Community High School
Completed secondary education in Leeds.
Degree in Advertising from Thomas Danby College
Received a degree in advertising from Thomas Danby College.
HND in Business and Finance Management (Manchester Metropolitan University)
At ~age 21, continued studies and received an HND in Business and Finances management at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Joined McCann Erickson as Account Manager
Started as an account manager; noted as one of the agency's first ethnic minority hires.
Joined Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) as Account Director
Moved to BBH and served as account director.
Left BBH after four years
Departure from Bartle Bogle Hegarty (account director role ended in 1996).
Board Account Director at Lowe Howard-Spink
Appointed board account director at Lowe Howard-Spink.
Head of Account Management at HHCL (1999–2000)
Served as head of account management between 1999 and 2000.
Managing Director, TBWA London
Joined TBWA Worldwide's London office as managing director, rising quickly in the London ad-agency world.
Co-chair of Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
Became co-chair to address discrimination in the advertising industry.
Trustee of The Prince's Trust (start)
Began serving as a Trustee of HRH Prince of Wales’ The Prince's Trust (served 2002–2005).
Completed Harvard Business School Advanced Management course
Completed an advanced management course at Harvard Business School.
Joined The Coca‑Cola Company as VP, Global Advertising Strategy & Creative
Recruited by Coca‑Cola to lead global advertising strategy and creative.
Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Manchester Metropolitan University
Awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater for business and management.
Launched Coca‑Cola's 'Open Happiness' global initiative
Spearheaded the 'Open Happiness' global creative platform, credited with strong commercial results for Coke.
Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year
Awarded Creative Marketer of the Year by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity while leading Coke's marketing.
Left Coca‑Cola (approx.)
Concluded tenure leading Coca‑Cola's global advertising (sources indicate leadership through ~2013).
Joined Airbnb as Chief Marketing Officer
Recruited by CEO Brian Chesky to become Airbnb's first CMO and lead global brand strategy.
Launched major Airbnb brand campaigns (start)
Led breakthrough global campaigns including 'Wall and Chain', 'Never A Stranger' and 'Live There' to elevate Airbnb's brand.
Airbnb platform growth during Mildenhall tenure (start stat)
When he joined Airbnb the platform had ~400,000 homes listed.
Adweek Brand Genius Award
Received Adweek's Brand Genius award recognizing marketing leadership and creativity.
Named #7 Most Innovative CMO by Business Insider
Business Insider recognized him among the world's most innovative CMOs.
Named Jury President for Creative Effectiveness, Cannes Lions
Served as Jury President for Creative Effectiveness at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Included in Financial Times 'EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders'
Recognized by the Financial Times as a leading ethnic minority leader.
Airbnb '#WeAccept' Super Bowl ad (Super Bowl LI)
Airbnb launched its #WeAccept ad during Super Bowl LI to highlight inclusiveness and diversity; a high-profile global brand moment under his marketing leadership.
Ranked #8 on Forbes' 'World's Most Influential CMOs 2017'
Forbes ranked him eighth among the world's most influential chief marketing officers.
Left Airbnb
Departed Airbnb in October 2017 after leading brand during rapid expansion.
Founded TwentyFirstCenturyBrand (announced departure/founding)
Left Airbnb and set up a marketing consultancy (announced departure Oct 2017; company operational/marketed 2018).
TwentyFirstCenturyBrand launches operations (London & San Francisco)
Consultancy established offices in London and San Francisco and began advising major clients.
TwentyFirstCenturyBrand first major client wins
Advisory clients included Pinterest, LinkedIn, Zalando, PepsiCo, Nextdoor, Walmart, Uber, Peloton, WeWork and Mars.
Public discussion of impending fatherhood
Campaign published an interview 'Jonathan Mildenhall on Impending Fatherhood' (Feb 15, 2018), indicating he and his husband were expecting.
Executive Chair of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand
Transitioned to/held the executive chair role at TwentyFirstCenturyBrand while operating as co‑founder and chair.
TwentyFirstCenturyBrand 'Four Pillar' model publicized
Firm promoted the Four Pillar model (Purpose‑led, Community‑driven, Technology‑enabled, Narrative‑based) as their brand strategy framework.
TwentyFirstCenturyBrand client roster expands (notable additions)
Firm continued to serve high-profile clients including Pinterest, Walmart, Nextdoor and PepsiCo (ongoing growth milestone).
Board roles: Appointed/serves on boards of Fanatics and Sonos (reported)
Reported to serve on the boards of Fanatics and Sonos (appointment dates not precisely listed in sources; role active by 2024 profile).
Profiles & speaking engagements continue (global keynote presence)
Regular keynote speaker and sought-after event speaker on purpose-led branding, creativity and inclusiveness (agencies list fee ranges).
Cannes Lions Grand Prix credit (profile association)
Profiled in Cannes Lions site listing associated awards and roles; listed as winner/related to Grand Prix for Good and Titanium (profile summarizing achievements).
TwentyFirstCenturyBrand ongoing leadership
Continues as Co-founder & Chair / Executive Chair of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand while serving at Rocket Companies (firm remains active advising major brands).
Public recognition cumulative (Forbes/FT/Adweek/Business Insider)
Aggregate recognitions include Forbes (World's Most Influential CMOs #8 in 2017), FT EMpower list, Adweek Brand Genius (2016), Business Insider (2016) and Cannes honors (2013).
Estimated net worth (public estimate)
Estimated cumulative net worth based on senior executive compensation, long tenure at major brands, board fees and earnings from consultancy and speaking.
Named Chief Marketing Officer of Rocket Companies
Hired as the first-ever CMO for Rocket Companies, responsible for unifying marketing across Rocket's businesses (reported Jan 4, 2024).
Key Achievement Ages
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